Charles “Chuck” D. Klein ’63, a longtime NYU Law Trustee, passed away on August 30, 2019.
“Chuck was a deeply treasured member of our community, whose vision, philanthropy, and kindness left a lasting impression on those who knew him,” Dean Trevor Morrison said in an email announcement. “Chuck was a visionary partner and friend, and we are grateful for his tremendous commitment and generosity to NYU School of Law. Our entire community extends heartfelt condolences to his family. Chuck will be deeply missed.”
Klein earned his BA from Bard College in 1960 and his JD from NYU Law in 1963. Upon graduating from NYU Law, Klein joined the U.S. Army Reserve, where he served until 1969. Following his military service, Klein pursued a career in finance, working as an analyst at Bear Stearns and then Lehman Brothers. He then spent the next quarter-century as the senior financial advisor for the William Rosenwald Family. In 1994, Klein cofounded American Securities LP, a private equity firm, where he was a managing director for many decades and then served as senior advisor until his passing.
Klein was a strong supporter of NYU Law. His tenure on the Board of Trustees began in September 2004, and in that year, he established the Charles D. Klein Scholarship for Law and Business at the Law School. Klein was a longstanding member of the Weinfeld Program, the Law School’s most prestigious donor recognition program; a recipient of the Alumni Achievement Award; and a member of the Council on the Future of the Law School. In 2010, he received the Vanderbilt Medal, the highest honor bestowed on an alum of NYU Law. His legacy is rooted in the Law School’s Law and Business Program, which Klein envisioned and helped bring to fruition. At the most recent Weinfeld Gala in April 2019, Klein was honored with the Weinfeld Award for his outstanding professional accomplishments and commitment to the Law School community.
Klein served as a member of the Population Council Board of Trustees and as a board member for various nonprofit organizations, including the Petrie Foundation. He was a life trustee of New York University and a member of the NYU Tandon School of Engineering Board of Overseers.
Klein is survived by his wife, Jane; their adult children and their spouses, Andrew B. Klein JD/MBA ’08 and Ashleigh Klein, and Libby Babbott-Klein (Stern MBA ’13) and David Babbott-Klein ’14; and his grandchildren, Lockwood and Zilpha (Zip).
Posted September 3, 2019